A job ad for iPhone sales specialists has stoked rumours of an early launch for the iPhone 5.

CNET UK is touting a mid-August date for the launch after a tipster submitted details of the job vacancy from recruitment agency Gekko Ltd.

The ad copy states that "Our client, Apple, one of the largest consumer electronic hardware and software companies in the world are seeking full-time iPhone Sales Staff for an exciting project to work 5 days a week (Tuesday-Saturday) for the period 16th August - 29th October within key retail store."

Several areas of the UK are covered, including Aberdeen, London, Manchester and Portsmouth, with a salary of £75 a day. The requirements include "Experience of selling/promoting mobile phones or possess advanced user experience of iPhone's" [sic]

CNET is proposing that if Apple is looking to bolster its sales staff: "the only reason we can think is that there's a big product launch on the horizon."

Even if such speculation comes to nothing, the fact that the job ad has been picked up by the rumour mill means that there will no shortage of exposure for the posts.